Part 12 of Thoughts of the Day...by Brian Norris

Today's Thought: Approach life with the same enthusiasm as a dog has toward a favorite chew toy and you'll find that everything works out just fine. :)

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Today's Thought: Instead of blocking your chronic pain with medication, alcohol & various vices, ask yourself WHY you are always in pain to begin with. The cause may be unresolved issues like guilt, abuse, & bad decisions. If you want the pain to go away you may need to do what seems impossible: forgive your transgressor(s) & forgive yourself.

If you determine that forgiveness isn't within your power then approach your memories the same way you would prepare a husk of corn. Separate the lessons learned from each painful or hostile experience & throw the rest away.

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Today's Thought: Embrace your right to feel emotions. Let the tears fall, the anger erupt, the laughter bellow, & the passion swirl. Still, resist the tendency to allow any single of these emotions to control your actions all the time. Balance is a beautiful thing. :)

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Today's Thought: You're breathing (w/o a machine). You got out of bed (on your own). You got a roof over your head (even if its not your own). Your brain is intact....Stop complaining already!!! :)

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Today's Thought: Force yourself to constantly challenge the way you look at & respond to the things going on in your life.

Just as the world looks different from the 8th floor of a hotel than it does from the lobby, so too does it look wildly different through the eyes of empathy, the eyes of experience, the eyes of a devil's advocate, the lenses of age, free thinker or conformist.

If you can no longer approach a problem from a fresh perspective, ask an outsider (with nothing to lose or gain for being honest) for their opinion.

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Today's Thought: When you encounter an a$$hole – be they at work, at school, while driving, in the grocery store, at the mall – reminder yourself that at least you don't have to live with or (heaven forbid) sleep with them. Instead of getting angry, send a silent blessing to them AND to the a$$hole's family. Then, smile, & move on with your life.

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Today's Thought: New Years Celebrations ... Enjoy the diversions while you can. Find any excuse to celebrate, any rational lie or half truth to comfort yourself. Make up 3,000 reasons to cherish this moment, and that one too. Because in the end -- we all go boom.

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Today's Thought: You get as many chances as you like to start fresh. Just take a breath and blink, it's that easy to begin again, begin a new habit and break a lingering one (without enduring the annual drama of making and breaking New Years resolutions).

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Today's Thought: Burn all of your memories. Don't be afraid to throw them into a giant bonfire. This forces you to live in the present; to relish what you have versus what you had. Burn the memories, then you'll really be happy.

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Today's Thought: A good story brings people together, inspires hope and promotes kindness. A good story gives people a chance to revel in the healing power of simple faith. So, enjoy your stories and tell them well. Merry Christmas to you and the people you cherish.

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Today's Thought: My favorite part of the massage is when they turn over. Even in the dark, I can see their face glowing with energy, relaxed, and free from stress. Their eyes are closed but they are smiling. Their divinity is peaking through their fragile human exterior.

If we can do it during the holidays we can do it daily too. I believe we can (and must) find 345 more reasons (any excuse will do) to make joy & cheer, forgiveness, kind words & actions, compassion, empathy, childlike faith, & tolerance year-round habits.

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Today's Thought: Life is so freakin' amazing. The known and observable. The unknown and speculative. The planned moments. The impromptu. The tears. The laughter. Noise. Complete silence. The in between. Celebrate it all. :)

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Today's Thought: The person who knows all the answers hasn't heard all the questions. Be brave. Ask some new questions. Once you’ve answered them. Repeat the process.

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Today's Thought:

Long ago, a 32-year-old rabbi taught his students that the secret to peace was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It was – and is – an amazingly simple solution.

First, the rabbi expected each of us to love ourselves, (physically, emotionally and spiritually). Only those who dislike themselves make a habit of allowing negative people, toxic thoughts, dangerous or unhealthy substances and prejudiced belief systems to control them. That’s why loving who we are, in all our various shades of dysfunction, is critical. The teacher understood that unless we learn to love and respect ourselves, we couldn’t truly love others.

Second, the self-taught rabbi expected us to love our neighbors: the people around us at any given moment. That includes family and loved ones. But, it can’t stop there. More than just the people living with us or next door to us, neighbors include the people in the parking lot, in the security line, at the gym, in the doctor’s office and in the grocery store. Neighbors are the people attending the same seminar we are. The person on the other end of the phone call or email message is a neighbor too.

We can love these neighbors with every nod of acknowledgment, every hello, every smile, every embrace, every word spoken, and every moment spent listening without judgment. Love them in our thoughts and actions. Love our neighbor regardless of the kind of day we’re having. Love, even when the neighbor in question doesn’t look or speak like us, has angered us or done us wrong. Love without needing them to love back.

As this year melts into a new one, and we reflect on the events and lessons learned, it’s easy to assume that we are utterly alone. That maybe even God (however you choose to understand or interact with the Creator) has left us. But I’ve come to a very different conclusion. God hasn’t left us alone. God has left us with each other.

In that realization, seen first-hand as powerful hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis (of natural, economic, political and spiritual origin) blow away the layers of stuff we use to insulate ourselves from our neighbors, we again are given a chance to take the rabbi’s solution quite literally. Peace on Earth begins and ends with choosing to love our neighbor.

It is in this spirit that I write to say I love you. Every interaction, however brief, changes us. The change you’ve made in me is a good one. You’ve helped make me stronger, more adaptable, more positive, and more grounded. By sharing your personal challenges and experiences, you’ve also kept me humble. Thank you.

You’ve been a good neighbor, and I hope I’ve been able to return the favor. Though far from perfect, if I can be there for you – as a friend, a professional, a better neighbor – I will. Just call me, email me or stop by. In the meantime, know that you are in my thoughts, and my heart. It’s an awesome feeling to know that Peace on Earth and Peace of mind are within our grasp.

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Today's Thought: This a good time of year to do a Dogma Evaluation. Cycle through some of your beliefs by using questions to determine whether you still feel they hold true.

For example, is karma really a bitch? Is justice blind? Do people really get what's coming to them in the end?

After a little soul searching and tempered evaluation, you might soon discover that some of your beliefs ring hollow. They might still sound nice when you say them. But do you trust their accuracy enough to stand behind them when chaos and injustice decide to pay you an unexpected visit?

Today's Thought: If you unwilling to verbally confront the person who habitually causes you grief or disrespects you, then kindly shut your mouth and stop complaining.

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Today's Thought: Of all the therapies one can experience, touch therapy is the least costly and most effective one of all. Healing broken hearts. Restoring shattered faith. Re-igniting doused passion. Human touch makes it possible!

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Today's Thought: A simple, sincere smile can change the world. It's why we should smile often (and sincerely).

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Today's Thought: What if we are just characters in someone else's video game? Are our players still playing us, or have they moved on to other diversions? Do they log in in every millennia or so, taking bets on which of their characters deviate from the coding? Is their a main character in the game? Do any of us move the plot forward? How does the game end?

We - the characters - might "die" unless we have 3 or 4 lives each. But is there a reset or power off button? What happens if "they" decide to push it? As far a choices, maybe "magic" and faith are attempts to help us beat the programming, while CNN and science are an attempt to keep us from deviating from our roles!

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Today's Thought: Breathe in through the nose, hold for a few seconds & exhale out through the mouth. Thus begins the ritual.

With every breath we journey to a place where time & space have no power. In this inner sanctum, all that is said & felt is sacred.

Our breathing matched, electricity courses through the client as my fingers trace lightly across the surface of their body.

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Today's Thought: The passionate spirit inoculates himself from the myth of absolutes. Real life is about what happens between the black and white. So when someone begins to paint a situation in the context of "right or wrong", "good or evil", or "always and never" be skeptical; That person is probably trying to manipulate you.

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Today's Thought: Visiting the past on occasion is healthy when it reminds of us life's randomness, how far we've come & the lessons we've learned. But when you do choose to visit the past, be sure to purchase a round-trip ticket and travel light.... keep your baggage to a minimum!

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Today's Thought: Every ache tells a story. Some are the recent result of a bad night's sleep or an impromptu workout session or shoveling too much snow. Those are the easier ones to massage away.

It's the deeper aches that take time and patience to heal. The ones caused by betrayal or loneliness, anger or abuse. My hands read their stories. Armed with the techniques of massage, empathy and a loving touch we let the healing begin.

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Today's Thought: Some gifts are best left intact. Example: is it a beautiful pre-lit Christmas tree that ushers in the holiday season? Or is it an over-sized toilet bowel brush oozing with lead, PVC & mercury?

The same goes for the other "gifts" in our lives - the people we meet & the events we experience. Prod too deeply & the gift falls apart; leaving us to be alone with pieces, despair & random factoids.

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Today's Thought: The control freak comes to me to lay almost silently on my massage table. After a daily regimen that demands he know all the answers & that he make all the decisions, he is tired & weary.

He has learned that here, in this inner sanctum, he can remove the armor from his body & trust me to do what is necessary to shut his mind off. He obeys my requests & surrenders completely to my strong, patient hands.

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Today's Thought: It makes sense to look & feel your personal best. Still, remember that the truest measure of real beauty comes from how well you treat yourself & how you interact with the world around you! Let your lifestyle, attitude & actions be a reflection of the innate divinity that resides in every molecule of your body.

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Today's Thought: I whisper for her to turn over and I lift the crimson sheet high enough for her to turn freely, while retaining her modesty. Now supine, I run my fingers through her hair, removing stray strands from her face.

Even in the darkness, even with the scarce light provided by the flickering candles, I can see joy & serenity on her face. She glows. Angelic; her energy unbound. Freed from stress, she is beautiful.

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Today's Thought: What can be a better excuse for cuddling, cocoa and warm massages than a snowy hump day? :)

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Today's Thought: Most of us have heard it repeated that "We are here for a reason." It’s a nice thought. But are we really born with a specific pre-determined mission? Did the men and women we lift up for their goodness or put down for their tyranny arrive on the scene with a pre-written story to fulfill?

The challenge with the “here for a reason” mindset is that it blatantly ignores the chaos of life, the parameters of free will, & the human propensity towards laziness. Could it be that those who go on to change the course of history do so as response to a bout of hysteria, tragedy, fear, or desperate search for meaning?

So if we are not here for a reason, perhaps we are here to FIND a reason for being here. For example, a man isn't necessarily born to be a great husband or father or lover. But as long as he is here, and he feels compelled to embrace any or all of those roles, then it makes sense to endeavor to be the best husband, father or lover he can be.

If that be the case, what are you doing to actively justify your existence? With so many “reasons to be here” at your disposal will you shut down or step up? There is value in taking the position that your reason is simply to “be a good person”, a “great role model”, “a hero”, or “a thorn in someone’s side.”

What’s your excuse for being here? What cause will you take up? What roles can you take on with the intent of performing them superbly? Whose voice will you be? What revolution will you start, advance or thwart?

Pick a reason, and make it count!

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Today's Thought: Be kind to your inner child. Let it play often and give it all the room it needs to explore life and question everything.

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Today's Thought: Always strive to be the best at whatever you do. Mediocre effort is a sure way to destroy your relationships, lose your job & annihilate your self-esteem. Instead, of settling for "so-so" or "good enough", make "the best" your personal standard. And remember, the haters, slackers & nay-sayers don't pay your bills!

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Today's Thought: Don't fall in love with the messenger...but don't shoot them either. Several people will come into and out of your life. You’ll wish you never met some of them. But a few of them will change you for the better.

When that special person comes along with a message of hope or inspires you to change or proves to you that you can be whole again, appreciate the messenger and the lesson(s). But don't worship them, or get emotionally invested.

It’s tempting to see the messenger as that one person who can fill the void in your life. Trying to hold on to them by lassoing them with lust, love, anger, guilt is a poor use of your energies and time. Let the messenger come and go. Instead, appreciate the lesson. Implement it so that you can grow from it.

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Today's Thought: No belief is so sacred that it can't be discussed, debated, reviewed and challenged. If it's worth accepting as gospel, then it's worth unpackaging now and then for closer inspection.

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Today's Thought: Revel in the beauty of brevity. Each breath in - then out. Every handshake hello - and hug goodbye. Every fleeting smile or momentary giggle. These brief moments are truly beautiful and give us a peek into the innate goodness and divinity of humanity.

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Today's Thought: No one can really "steal" your joy. If you tend to be chronically/habitually joyless you're often guilty of sabotaging your innate right to happiness and peace of mind.

The biggest sign of self-sabotage is when you deliberately (once is a mistake, twice is a deliberate choice) surround yourself with mindfu$kers, low-level energy leeches & eternal pessimists.

Learn to walk away from those (even family) who get off on misery!

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Today's Thought: If you can't be with the one you love or lust for then you possess a really crappy imagination! ;)

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Today's Thought: Most of the joy of purchasing big ticket items comes from the ANTICIPATION of acquiring it. The moment we "own it" most of the original excitement wanes.

So, revel in the process of acquisition. Then, buy it. Try it, turn it on, let it sit in your living room or hang in your closet. After a day or so, bring it back for the refund and start again! Ownership - after all - is just an illusion anyway.

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Today's Thought: Although traditions have their place, be open to creating new ones. The people & circumstances in your life change so quickly. Being too attached to "how we've always done it" can be a recipe for sadness, resentment & disappointment. Focus on what you have vs. what you had by giving yourself permission to enjoy the fresh possibilities that arise.

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Today's Thought: Where couples (or whatever arrangements you come up with) are concerned, King-sized beds are just wrong; they are too big, with too much space between the left and right sides). Pick the smaller bed so that you can sleep as close to one another as possible! Sleeping intertwined is good for morale. :)

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Today's Thought: Envy is unattractive & often a trademark of laziness. From a distance, anything (career, looks, relationship, family, and possessions) can look shinier, more perfect, happier ... more ideal than your own.

The reality is that those who seem to have "everything" are really just good at making their hard work & sacrifices less obvious. Ultimately, the grass is greenest wherever you water it!

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Today's Thought: Live each moment as if it's the ONLY shot you have a experiencing what it's like to be human. 100 years or so of free will and unlimited choices is not a long time considering the awesome options we have while in this human form. The angels envy us for a reason!

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Today's Thought: When you put your energy into loathing, envying or plotting revenge against someone, you let that person (or group of people) control you.

By brooding over them, you allow them to control your time and energy. Instead, invest your energy into yourself & into people who love you. Focus instead on the present & on events that can bring you happiness and personal satisfaction.

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Today's Thought: Embrace your power to change your world for the better one conversation, one idea, one decision and one moment of unsolicited positivity at a time.

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Today's Thought: If you make a choice, own it. Taking ownership of your choices restores your innate ability to create the life you want, a life where you rise above your past and clean the slate once and for all.

Owning your choices begins by taking responsibility for the people you've allowed to become a part of your life. Are they non-toxic? Do they respect you? Do they hold you accountable? Do they value your limits? Do they honor your right to be happy and healthy?

Then, take ownership for your decisions or the lack of them. Were your decisions sound? Were they responsible? Did they move you forward or set you back? What were the real consequences of your inaction?

We can blame the devil, or the media, or drugs, or other people all we want. In the end, though, we have to look at every choice we’ve made through the unforgiving lens of personal accountability.

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Today's Thought: Savor each moment completely and to its highest potential. Live in the present – Know that this event, this opportunity, this chance to connect soul-to-soul may not happen again.

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Today's Thought: While I honor my commitments and stand by my decisions, I will not forfeit my right to experience life's random possibilities.

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Today's Thought: With my hands, I bring peace and love to the world, one person at a time.

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Today's Thought: Today is Universal Make Prolonged Eye Contact Day. No matter how awkward it feels, you have to make (or try to make) eye contact with every person who you walk up to, past or speak to.

It's not about staring, it's about connecting soul to soul with fellow humans. Aim for at least six seconds before you break initial contact! Then repeat as necessary. Be sure to include a sincere smile. Enjoy!

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Today's Thought: Today is International "Leave Your Drama at the Door" Day, so please keep whining, self-pity, professional self-victimization and gosh-it-sucks-to-be-you isms to a minimum. :)

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Today's Thought: What would it take to create a world where there were no boundaries to defend, no resources to protect or commandeer, and no reason for soldiers to become soldiers in the first place?"

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Today's Thought: People who don't show for appointments are evil. ;) Not really... just rude and inconsiderate. May they never procreate (or even try to)!

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Today's Thought: One of the many things I love about life is that we can choose to start again or clear the slate or "make it right" whenever we choose. In the blink of an eye we can resolve to have, give, or become whatever we want. Evaluate the consequences of your choices. Then make a decision and proceed with a spirit of expectation and humility.

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Today's Thought: We often learn the best lessons from the people and events that hurt us the most. So, learn the lesson and be smart enough to prevent those people or events from hurting you again.

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Today's Thought: The Universe brings people into and out of our lives (as catalysts) to remind of us of our personal capacity to receive, feel and respond to emotions and ideas. We forget on occasion (or refuse to recognize) that this capacity is the key to living passionately. It's the antidote to a life of misery and loneliness. :)

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Today's Thought: Is there danger in becoming too attached to anyone or anything?

Where people are concerned, it’s okay to need and be needed. But to be the sole reason for anyone else's existence is a weighty, unhealthy (and unreasonable) cross to bear. This will cost you your sanity!

Where possessions and things are concerned, few things (like luxuries, non-medical devices, technological wonders) are too sacred or too indispensable to live without, so practice going without whenever possible.

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Today's Thought: The sun is out. The internet works. My belly is full. and by days end all the rents will be paid. What more can a person ask for?

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Today's Thought: Be sure to put as much energy into celebrating life, light and the familiar as we do celebrating, death, darkness and the things we fear.

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Today's Thought: May your day be full of unexpected miracles and lots of amorous people.

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Today's Thought: Are we set free or imprisoned by our capacity to love? Does love make us more human or more divine?

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Today's Thought: The difference between real and unreal is our willingness to believe in something. Belief, coupled with action, has an unrivaled ability to make things happen that scientifically are "impossible."

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Today's Thought: A healthy, prosperous relationship is one which each partner loves each other more than they need them.

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Today's Thought is from my book, Escape Life Sucks Syndrome... Suck life before life sucks you! Be assertive about what you want. Life acts upon those who don't act, often with dire consequences.

So spend less time wishing & hoping, & more timing doing & moving. The worst that can happen is you fail or fall short. That's a small price to pay if it means getting what you aspire towards.

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Today's Thought: The Dalai Lama teaches that we should "Practice kindness whenever possible. It is always possible." Personally, I find that practicing kindness will open doors that sheer anger, legal maneuvering and brute strength cannot. Besides, determined kindness is a cool way to tick off unrelenting jerks and asses!

Find Brian's "Thoughts of the Day" helpful? Have questions? Take this moment to email info@briannorris.com and let him know!